Tag: golf

“Putting” their rivalry aside, Hibs and Hearts legends sign up for inaugural Auld Reekie Cup

All “fore” a good cause – Don’t miss your chance to play in Edinburgh’s exclusive charity golf tournament

It’s a rivalry that has kept football fans on the edge of their stadium seats for almost 150 years – that between Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C.

And now that competition is set to hit the golf course as footballing legends from Hibs and Hearts prepare to tee off in an exclusive charity golf tournament. What’s more, local supporters are being offered a unique opportunity to play alongside these football icons as entries into the inaugural Auld Reekie Cup teams officially open to the public.

Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup is set to be a memorable golf day with a difference, featuring friendly competition and banter, with great prizes and bragging rights up for grabs. 

Switching the pitch for the fairway will be fitba stars Scott Brown, Mixu Paatelainen, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan, Gordon Hunter, Steven Tweed, Ally McLeod, John Blackley and John Brownlie playing for Hibernian, and Jim Brown, Scott Crabbe, Eammon Bannon and Graeme Shaw playing for Hearts. More big names will be confirmed in the coming days.

And it’s all in aid of a great cause. Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised will be used to support projects promoting young people’s mental health.

Speaking ahead of the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “Uniting old rivals for a common cause, this charity golf day will bring Hibs and Hearts together on the green to tee up support for young people’s mental health.

“Hanlon Stevenson Foundation are delighted to be working with Big Hearts Community Trust, proving that when it comes to making a positive difference, our shared purpose is stronger than any rivalry.”

Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “We are thrilled to have been asked to be part of this exciting new event alongside The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation which will allow us to support even more young people across Edinburgh.

“We already do a host of work in this area and know the challenges that exist. We hope to have a full team of golfers joining us and our playing legends on what will be a great day at such a historic venue, all for a great cause.”

The Auld Reekie Cup will take place at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society on Thursday 26th October.

Entries into both teams are now open. Teams of 3 plus a playing legend are priced at £900 +VAT. To purchase a ticket for the Hibernian team please email graeme@hanlonstevensonfoundation.co.uk

To purchase a ticket for the Hearts team please email kirsty.coutts@bighearts.org.uk.

Scottish golf backed by £3m funding

For the first time Scotland will host the R&A’s three major championships alongside Scotland’s two opens – backed by more than £3 million annually to support golf events and market Scotland globally as the Home of Golf.  

The Scottish Open, which teed off yesterday, has received £1.8 million in funding from the Scottish Government to support the event to grow and deliver a first-rate playing and spectating experience. The Genesis Scottish Open has attracted its strongest-ever field this year, with nine of the world’s top 10 players competing at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick.

Culture Minister Neil Gray highlighted the benefits of Scottish Government support for the sport as the landmark event, the first to be co-sanctioned by golf’s governing bodies on both sides of the Atlantic, got underway.

Mr Gray said: “Earlier this week, I was delighted to get the chance to say thanks in person to many of those who have contributed to Scotland’s spectacular summer of golf, including event organisers, governing bodies, sponsors, partners, local authorities, media and broadcasters.

“In the same year as we celebrate the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews it’s fitting that we underline Scotland’s status as the home of golf and a global leader in golf tourism by hosting an unprecedented series of tournaments which will showcase Scotland and our top courses to a worldwide audience.

“The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy. We have a long-standing track record of support and are proud to fund our annual national men’s and women’s Opens and work with our partners at VisitScotland to support a host of other events.

“Our commitment to all of these fantastic tournaments helps promote our priorities, including health and wellbeing and inclusivity and equality – and I’m delighted to see the Women’s Open at Muirfield for the first time.”

For the first time, the R&A’s three major championships – the Open, the AIG Women’s Open and the Senior Open – will take place in Scotland in the same year, alongside the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open and the men’s Genesis Scottish Open. In another first, the Women’s Open will take place at Muirfield.

A record-breaking crowd of nearly 300,000 is expected at St Andrews for the 150th Open, with large numbers expected to attend the other events this month and next.

St Andrews lights up as the countdown to The 150th Open continues

A spectacular light and sound projection show was beamed on to the iconic clubhouse of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews as the countdown to The 150th Open continued in the historic town last night.

Ahead of the move into British Summer Time and the Major Championship season, The R&A Celebration of Light was attended by residents of St Andrews who gathered at the world-renowned Old Course to watch celebrated moments from the Championship’s cherished history brought to life through the dramatic projection show.

The state-of-the-art production was narrated by actor and lifelong golf fan Gerard Butler. It charted the remarkable journey of golf since The Open began in 1860, celebrating renowned Champion Golfers and unforgettable performances from many of the sport’s greatest names.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The R&A Celebration of Light was a spectacular way to continue our countdown to The 150th Open at St Andrews. You felt a real sense of excitement among the spectators who attended this evening as we enjoyed reliving the iconic moments which have made this great Championship so revered by millions of fans around the world.

“The 150th Open is a going to be a momentous occasion for golf and we look forward with great anticipation to seeing the world’s best men’s golfers create more history when they compete for the Claret Jug over the Old Course in just over three months’ time.” 

A tribute in support of Ukraine and its people also took place as colours of the nation’s flag were projected onto the clubhouse building. A live performance from the City of St Andrews pipe band entertained the attending crowd prior to the show.

For those unable to make it in person to experience the show, the entire display is now available to watch via The Open’s social media channels (@TheOpen) and TheOpen.com.

The show was the latest activity in a schedule of special events taking place before the first tee is struck at the Championship. The R&A is also hosting the Celebration of Champions on Monday 11 July, a special exhibition of golf on the Old Course that will bring together a number of the world’s most renowned golfers during the week of The 150th Open.

The R&A has been working with Rolex, a Patron of The Open, to develop a series of exclusive content which will be published via TheOpen.com in the lead up to the Championship.

‘The Journey’ will provide a unique insight into golf’s oldest major championship and focus on players, fans and the moments that have been written into history. The series launched last month and will continue over the coming months.

For more information on The R&A Celebration of Light, and latest news on The 150th Open, please visit TheOpen.com

Long distance golfer David completes life-saving challenge

Twelve weeks, over 1,100 miles, a quarter of a million golf shots, more than 920 lost golf balls and an estimated 30,000 people trained in life-saving CPR skills.

This is what former Armed Forces trainer, David Sullivan aged 58 from Oxted in Surrey, has accomplished after setting off from John O’Groats in June on a mammoth mission to walk across the UK while hitting a golf ball and teaching people life-saving CPR skills along the way.

David arrived at his destination of Land’s End on 22nd August.

David set himself this extraordinary task, which involved walking between 14 and 30 miles every day and camping overnight, to raise awareness of the importance of knowing CPR, and to raise funds that would enable more towns and villages across the country to install life-saving defibrillators.

At every one of David’s stops on his mammoth journey, he trained people how to perform CPR. 

David’s passion for teaching CPR came about in 2016 when, while playing golf, he was faced with a life-or-death situation. When a young man experienced a cardiac arrest in front of him, David luckily knew what to do.

He gave CPR for 17 minutes until the man could be treated with a defibrillator.

“It was thanks to my training, and a defibrillator being nearby, that I was able to help save the man, who luckily made a full recovery,” says David. “When something like that happens right in front of you, it makes you realise how precious life is and how important it is to know what to do in that kind of emergency.

“It was an experience which profoundly affected me, and now it’s my mission to create an army of life savers all over the country.”

David had hoped to raise £60k, which would mean that 60 locations in Britain could be kitted out with a defibrillator, but at just over £9k, he is hoping that completing his challenge will encourage more people to donate.

“I’m imploring individuals and businesses all over the country to support this endeavour. Until a cardiac arrest happens to you, or someone you know, it’s impossible to truly understand how critical defibrillators are. Being treated with a defibrillator can literally mean the difference between life and death.

“We saw this recently when Danish footballer Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch. It can happen to anyone at any age at any time. Being treated with a defibrillator increases someone’s chance of survival by up to 70%.”

Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-sullivan-77.

American Golf kindly sponsored David on this adventure. 

Gary Favell, CEO of American Golf said: “David has been on an incredible journey over the last two months and American Golf is proud to have been behind him, encouraging him every step of the way. 

“It’s been fantastic to see the attention that David’s challenge has garnered up and down the country, raising awareness of the importance of knowing CPR, and the enthusiasm that he has shown in training people along his route. 

“Huge congratulations to David on all he has achieved – we hope he now enjoys a well-earned rest having reached his final hole.”

For more information visit www.creatinglifesavers.com.

The R&A opens ticket ballot for the 150th Open

The ticket ballot for The 150th Open has opened today, giving golf fans around the world the opportunity to secure a ticket for the historic Championship.

The 150th Open, taking place from 10-17 July 2022 in St Andrews, is set to be a true celebration of golf and the long history of golf’s original championship, as well as the many great champions who have lifted the iconic Claret Jug.

With record-breaking levels of demand anticipated for the milestone championship at the home of golf the ballot was introduced to provide the fairest way for golf fans of all generations to obtain tickets.

The ticket ballot will run until Monday, 4 October and will give fans plenty of time to register their interest in tickets. A balance of allocations will ensure fans from near and far will be able to attend the celebrations in St Andrews next summer. Fans will find out the results of the ticket ballot by the end of November 2021.

The ticket ballot is available exclusively to members of The One Club, the free-to-join membership programme. Members who have already registered their interest for the ballot can now apply for tickets. Fans can still sign up at any time via www.TheOpen.com and apply for tickets.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We are looking forward to a very special occasion in golf next year with The 150th Open being played at the birthplace of the game in St Andrews.

“We will be celebrating one of the most prestigious and renowned events in the sporting calendar and will be welcoming some of its greatest champions past and present.

“The ticket ballot gives as many fans as possible the chance to be part of this fantastic championship and make it an occasion to remember.”

Ticket prices for The 150th Open will be £95 for an adult on Championship Days and will range from £20 to £50 on practice days.

The R&A is fully committed to encouraging more children and young people to attend The Open and free tickets will be available to children through the successful and long-running Kids go Free programme, while half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24 year-olds. In order to give as many people as possible the chance to attend the Championship, weekly tickets are being discontinued.

Hospitality for the Championship has been on sale since last year, with 90% of packages already sold. The remaining Origins Hospitality, incorporating a range of fully inclusive experiences, is available to purchase now and is the only way fans can guarantee their place at the Championship.

Visit www.TheOpen.com/hospitality2022 for further information.

Earlier this month, The R&A launched the new 150th commemorative brand which will be displayed across a campaign of content and activations that will run throughout the next 13 months until the conclusion of next year’s Championship at St Andrews.

The focus of the campaign is the remarkable journey of The Open and its enduring impact on players, fans and the sport of golf itself since it was first staged back in 1860, emphasising the campaign’s central message that ‘everything has led to this’ as we count down to what promises to be a truly unforgettable occasion.

For more information on The 150th Open or to sign up to The One Club and enter the ticket ballot, visit www.TheOpen.com.

The R&A launch ticket ballot to The 150th Open

The R&A has announced the countdown to The 150th Open which kicks off with the launch of a special commemorative brand and the introduction of a ticket ballot to ensure the most equitable ticket sales process possible.

First played in 1860, The Open has been graced by golf’s greatest champions including Tom Morris, the grandfather of golf, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, and will mark its 150th playing with a true celebration of the sport at the Home of Golf from 10-17 July 2022.

With the extremely high levels of demand to attend this historic championship, the introduction of a ballot for tickets is deemed the fairest and most equitable way of ensuring golf fans from around the world have the chance to secure their place at the world-renowned Old Course next July. Hospitality for the event has been on sale since last year, with 85% of packages already sold.

The ticket ballot will run from Thursday, 1 July 2021 to Monday, 4 October 2021 giving as many fans as possible the opportunity to register for tickets.

A balance of allocations will ensure every generation of fan, from all over the world, as well as throughout the UK and the local area, will be able to attend the celebrations in St Andrews next July.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “This is a momentous occasion for golf as well as The Open and one which sports fans everywhere are looking forward to enormously. The 150th Open will give fans the opportunity to be part of a unique and unparalleled celebration at the birthplace of the game in St Andrews.

“We expect exceptional demand to be part of these celebrations and the ballot will give as many fans as possible the chance to secure a ticket and be part of history being made at one of the world’s most revered and renowned sporting events.”

The new 150th commemorative brand will be displayed across a campaign of content and activations that will run throughout the next 14 months until the conclusion of next year’s Championship at St Andrews. The focus of the campaign will be the remarkable journey of The Open and its enduring impact on players, fans and the sport of golf itself since it was first staged back in 1860.

The 150th logo is made up of individual threads that each represent the millions of journeys connected to the Championship.

From the greats of the game, to the hundreds of millions of golfers who have played the game since 1860, to the vast array of championships that take place in the global golfing calendar, the journey of our sport is intimately linked to the pioneers who started The Open to identify the Champion Golfer of the Year more than a century-and-a-half ago.

The threads will be prominently used in imagery throughout the build-up to The 150th Open, emphasising the campaign’s central message that ‘everything has led to this’ as we count down to what promises to be a truly unforgettable occasion.

Ticket prices for The 150th Open will be £95 for an adult on Championship days and will range from £20 to £50 on practice days.

The R&A is fully committed to encouraging more children and young people to attend The Open and free tickets will be available to children through the successful and long-running “Kids go Free” programme, while half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24 year-olds. In order to give as many people as possible the chance to attend the Championship, weekly tickets are being discontinued.

The ticket ballot will be available exclusively to members of The One Club, the free-to-join membership programme.

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 1978: Jack Nicklaus of the United States looks on following his victory during The 107th Open Championship held on the Old Course at St Andrews, from July 12-15,1978 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by R&A via Getty Images)

Fans can sign up to The One Club any time at www.TheOpen.com and will be among the first to be notified when the ballot is open.

Origins Hospitality, a range of fully inclusive experiences, is available to purchase now and is the only way fans can guarantee their place at the Championship.

Visit www.TheOpen.com/hospitality2022 for further information.

Sanitising Your Golf Equipment

As lockdown measures ease, more golfers are preparing to get back out on the course – but it is essential that care is still taken before teeing off. Not only should we continue to observe social distancing but making sure golf clubs and equipment are cleaned to prevent the spreading of germs is vital.

Eager to help prevent spreading of the Covid-19 virus, experts at GolfSupport.com have provided tips on the best ways to clean golf equipment:

1. Golf club heads

After a long day at the course, your golf clubs are bound to collect dirt and debris. Follow these simple steps to keep them sparkling and germ-free:

  1. Add 2-3 teaspoons of dishwasher liquid or soap to a bucket of warm water (enough to cover the club heads). Ensure it isn’t hot, as this may loosen the club head from the shaft.
  2. Submerge dirty club heads into the water for 5-10 minutes to loosen any dirt.
  3. Remove each club one-by-one and use an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush to scrub away any stubborn dirt, ensuring you catch the back, front, bottom and each individual groove.
  4. Run the cleaned club heads under water to wash away any remnants, avoiding getting the shaft and grips wet.
  5. Dry with a towel. Ensure nothing is left damp as this is when rust can develop.
  6. To give club heads an extra shine, gently rub in steel or chrome polish in circular motions and leave for a minute. Then ensure you remove all the polish – any remaining grease could negatively affect your game!

2. Golf club shafts
Golf club shafts can also be prone to dirt. To remove dirt, use a damp cloth and clear any grime from the shaft, drying it thoroughly with a towel afterwards.

If your club becomes rusty: 

According to a study by End of Tenancy London, vinegar comes out on top for the best multi-use disinfectant. So why not utilise it for your golf clubs too? Apply a little vinegar on the shaft with a cloth and gently remove any residue, ensuring you don’t scratch it. Finish by drying thoroughly.

3. Golf club grips

Golf grips are the most touched area of the club and can easily get dirty/worn from sweat, so they require regular cleaning.

Clean golf club grips after each session by using a damp cloth to wipe the entire grip’s surface, ensuring it isn’t too hot as this could damage it.

4. Golf balls

During a typical 18-hole round, golf balls are battered, beaten and subjected to all the elements. Not to mention the hundreds of tiny dimples that are experts at finding dirt.

Dirty golf balls can affect your game more than you’d think! Add soap, dishwasher liquid or our trusty friend vinegar (for a deeper clean) to a bucket of warm water and soak the balls for 15-20 minutes. If necessary, use a sponge and/or toothbrush to remove dirt that won’t budge. Don’t forget to dry them fully with a towel.

5. Golf bags and club head covers

Whilst unconfirmed and still a matter of debate, the coronavirus could live on clothing and canvas materials for up to two days. Remove this risk by cleaning your golf bags and club head covers as follows:

  1. Remove all contents from the bag/clubs from their covers.
  2. Depending on the material, lightly spray water all over the surfaces.
  3. Using a soap and warm water solution, scrub the bag and covers clean with a cloth. Be careful not to scrub too hard – you may damage the material.
  4. Use a hose to rinse/run them under clean water and assess for any further stains.
  5. Remove any stubborn stains by spraying with a stain remover, then allow them to rest. Gently scrub it if required.
  6. Once clean, allow the bag/covers to dry overnight – avoid leaving them to dry in the sun as this can discolour them.



6. Golf clothing

To clean dirty golf clothing, simply run them through the washing machine after each session. However, for clothes that smell or are particularly dirty, consider:

  • Avoiding using fabric softeners – they stop the odours and sweat from being washed out, in fact locking in the smell for your next practice.
  • Adding baking soda to laundry – one cup per wash deodorises and softens clothes.

We hope these tips on cleaning golf equipment can help avid golfers enjoy the wonderful sport whilst preventing the spread of coronavirus!

https://www.golfsupport.com/

Love Golf? It pays to play

** Unlimited monthly winter-golf for just £22.50 per month **

For die hard golf fans or even those new to the game who want to keep in the swing of it during the winter, Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership could be just the deal.

It pays to play, with the membership costing just £22.50 per month, compared up to £27.50 that you would pay as a pay-as-you-go customer. So buying a winter golf membership and playing more than once, will mean a saving worth having.

Ken Harvey, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Golf at Edinburgh Leisure has experienced a resurgence after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at the beginning of June and it’s been great to see regulars back on our fairways and also new players taking up the game or players returning to the game after dusting off their clubs.

“With minimal use of winter greens and no mats, it’s the ideal opportunity to keep your golf on par until the summer returns.  The beauty of Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership is that you won’t have to rely on playing just one course.

“Our membership gives you the flexibility and variety to experience up to six different courses in unique locations across the city. So wrap up warm, fill your thermos, grab your clubs and improve your game and your mental health with a round of golf!  In fact, playing just once a month, will see your membership pay for itself.”

The winter pass is valid from 1 October 2020 – 31 March 2021 and allows access to Edinburgh Leisure’s six golf courses*.

Edinburgh Leisure’s 18-hole courses include Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny, and Silverknowes.  For a quicker challenge, Edinburgh Leisure also have two popular 9-hole courses – Portobello and the Wee Braids.

From December to February, the Wee Braids closes and some of its holes are incorporated into the main Braid Hills course.

Payable monthly by direct debit until March 2021, different membership options are available including access to all the courses, seven days-a-week, and a five-day membership with access to all courses, Monday to Friday. 

The membership also gives 20% off other Edinburgh Leisure activities including the gym, swimming, racquet sports and climbing, at the various Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city – so it pays to play. 

Edinburgh Leisure has introduced rules and measures to ensure golfers can play in an environment that is safe for both customers and staff. 

Some things have changed but customers will still be guaranteed the warm Edinburgh Leisure welcome:

  • It is now necessary for all tee times to be booked and paid for in advance. Customers can no longer turn up to play.
  • Each player must be played for separately. The booking system lets the golfer and any guests to pay separately for their round.
  • Edinburgh Leisure members and cardholders can book a tee time from 9 pm, 8 days in advance. Non-members can still book a tee-time but will need to create an account with Edinburgh Leisure before they can book.  They will then be able to book from 9 pm, 7 days in advance. 
  • Under the current guidelines, only four-balls social golf can be played.
  • No changing rooms will be available so golfers are advised to change into their shoes and any outdoor wear whilst at their car and then proceed straight to the starters’ office/area.
  • Golf guidelines and terms and conditions can be found on the Edinburgh Leisure website – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/golf-covid-guidelines

The Golf Membership is available to buy online only –
https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/winter-golf-membership

Spectators take a healthy interest in Scottish Open golf

This year’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open reaches it’s final round climax today and, with plenty of players still in with a chance, it’s been an exciting four days for over 50,000 fans.

The Rolex Series event, at The Renaissance Club North Berwick, has seen some wonderful golf and blistering scores – and for those spectators following their favourite player there is also the added bonus that they can boost their health!   Continue reading Spectators take a healthy interest in Scottish Open golf